BT has confirmed a deal with Hollywood film studio Universal Pictures which will allow consumers to buy or rent films on its new TV platform, BT Vision, which launches in the autumn.
BT has confirmed a deal with Hollywood film studio Universal Pictures which will allow consumers to buy or rent films on its new TV platform, BT Vision, which launches in the autumn.

The deal also means broadband consumers will be able to download movies through BT's new on-line shop, the BT Vision Store, available from the end of this month. The site will give consumers access to a selection of Universal's library, including brand new releases, with each film costing between £7.99 and £16.99.

Customers will receive three copies of their chosen movie; one file downloaded to their PC, a file for use on a Windows-compatible portable device and a hard-copy delivered to their door.

Eddie Cunningham, chairman of Universal Pictures UK, said this was because research suggested customers would pay for the service if they got a hard-copy of the film.

Dan Marks, chief executive of BT Vision, added: 'Once the customer has downloaded the file it will be available for unlimited viewing'

When BT launches its TV service BT Vision in the autumn, consumers will be able to buy films to watch on their TV sets too.

The new TV service will be provided by a set-top box, but concern has been raised that the movie files will take up precious space on the set top box's PVR.

Marks said: 'If you make a payment, we will make good the promise to give you unlimited access to the movie you have chosen, no matter how full your PVR is.'

He said the deal with Universal is not exclusive and added that BT is in discussion with other companies with a view to expanding the film choices it can offer its consumers.

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